The majority of injuries occur in children under the age of 5.                

The three main causes are:

• Falls
• Poisonings
• Burns
  
  
  

This list doesn’t cover everything, but to help make your home safer, complete the following checklist.

All Rooms

• All unused electrical outlets are covered.
• Appropriate safety gates are at top and bottom of stairs.
• Blind and drape cords are cut or tied out of child’s reach.

Family/Living Room         

• Screens are around fireplaces and wood stoves.
• Furniture is soft or has padded corners.
• Heavy furniture is secured to the wall.
• Smoke detector is in place. Test it!

Bedrooms

• Beds and cribs are away from windows.
• Crib meets current safety standards.
• Smoke detector is in hallway. Test it!

Kitchen

• Pot handles are turned toward back of stove and cooking is done on back burners.
• Fire extinguisher is located near exit.
• Household cleaners are locked away.
• Emergency numbers are posted near the telephone.
• Safety locks are on knife drawers and lower cupboards.

Bathroom

• Electrical appliances are unplugged and out of child’s reach.
• Non-skid mat is in bathtub.
• Medicines and vitamins are locked away.
• Water temperature is turned down to 49° C or 120º F.

 Checklist adapted from material by Safe Kids Canada

¹Canadian Hospital Injury Reporting and Prevention Program 1998